Cap packaging inserts



1959 J. w. HENSCHEL cAP PACKAGING INSERTS Filed Deo. 12, 1956 FIG. I.

FIG. 3.

FIG. 2.

FIG. 5.

INVENTOR JOSEPH W. HENSCHEL ATTORNEY FIG. 4.

2,915,231 CAP PACKAGING INSERTS Joseph W. Henschel, University City, Mo. Application December 12, 1956, Serial No. 627,875 3 Claims. 01; 223'84) This invention relates to a packaging insert for use with headwear such as caps and the like.

In the packaging of caps and similar articles of headwear for shipment, storage, and display, it is Customary to provide some means for maintaining the proper shape of the caps and preventthem from becoming crushed or otherwise misshapen. Usually this is accomplished by taking a piece of tissue paper of a length about equal to that of the periphery of the crown ofthe cap andtwisting it loosely into a rope-like coil, which is placed on the inside of the cap along the upper periphery of the crown. This operation is very time consuming and slows down the packaging operation. Also, the coil of tissue is occasionally not properly positioned within the cap, the result being that the cap may later become misshapen and rendered unfit for sale.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a cap packaging insert which will hold the cap in proper shape during shipment, storage, and while on display in the store.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cap packaging insert which is inexpensive to manufacture and is capable of being quickly and easily inserted into a cap.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cap packaging insert constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention; a

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of Figure 1; v

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the insert showing the initial step of placing it into the cap;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the insert in its final position within the cap; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, A designates a cap packaging insert formed of a fiat piece of cardboard or the like and including a forward section 1 having a somewhat semi-elliptical peripheral edge portion 2 merging with outwardly presented opposed arcuate edges 3, 4, which terminate inwardly at 5, 6. The peripheral shape and contour of the forward section 1 conforms to the shape of the crown of the particular cap with which the packaging insert A is to be used and about three sizes will adequately cover a size-range of caps. Projecting outwardly from the forward section 1 are opposed ears 7, 8, having arcuate edges 9, 10, respectively, which are contiguous to the arcuate edges 3, 4, and terminate at 11, 12, inwardly of the termini 5, 6. Integral with the forward section 1 is a rear section 13 slit at 14 in the United States Patent 0 cap is being fitted if the retail salesman so desires.

,2 a provision of a pair of opposed flaps 15, 16, each having arcuate outer peripheries 17, 18. Extending inwardly a short distance from the periphery 17 and approximately at right angles to the slit 14 is a slit 19, and extending inwardly a short distance from the periphery 18' at an angle to the slit 14 is a slit 20. Formed in the insert A adjacent the forward end of the slit 14 is a somewhat elliptical aperture 21. r

Referring now to Figures 3-5, a sport cap 22 is suitably provided with a forwardly extending visor 23 and top wall 24, integrally including a back'wall 25. Marginally stitched to the top wall 24 and back wall 25 is an annular crown wall 26. The crown wall 26 and back wall 25 are turned up along their lower head-encircling margins for stitched securement to a'sweat .band 27. If desired, the front of the crown wall 26 may be secured to the visor 23 by means of a snap-fastener 28.

In use, the flaps 15, 16, are slightly overlapped in the manner shown in Figure 3 and the forward section 1 is inserted so that it overlies the front portion of the inside of the top wall 24. The sweat band 27 is then lifted upwardly and the flaps 15, 16, are positioned adjacent the inside of the back wall 25; whereupon, the sweat band 27 is folded back into place and-the insert A assumes a position within the cap 22, as shown in'Figures 4' and 5. In this position, the forward section 1 overlies substantially all of the inside of the top wall 24 and the rear section 13 covers substantially all of the back wall 25. It will be apparent that as the flaps 15, 16, are positioned adjacent the inside of the back wall 25, the rear section 13 will easily bend into rear wall overlying position without buckling the insert A due to the fact that fold lines are readily formed between the termini 11, 12, and the aperture 21. It will also be apparent that the slits 19, 20, permit a modicum of flexibility of the flaps 15, 16, whereby they may more readily conform to the contour of the back wall 25.

The packaging insert of the present invention holds the cap accurately and effectively in shape during shipment and while on the merchants shelf prior to retail sale. Furthermore, it has been found that the packaging insert of the present invention, while holding the cap in shape much more effectively than tissue paper coils and other conventional means, also makes it possible to package a dozen caps within a much smaller cap box than was heretofore possible, thereby making possible substantial savings in the expense of boxes, the cost of shipping, and shelf space. Another significant advantage of the packaging insert of the present invention resides in the fact that the packaging insert A can be left in the cap while the Tissue paper coils and other conventional insert means must be removed from the cap when the customer is trying it on and then put back in the cap if the customer does not purchase it. The packaging insert A of the present invention, however, does not interfere to any substantial degree with the fit or feel of the cap when it is on the head of the wearer and, therefore, actually protects the inside of the'crown from accidental soilage from perspiration or grease which may be on the hair of the person trying on the cap.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the cap packaging inserts may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A removable cap packaging insert comprising a flat unitary sheet of flexible material provided with a forward Patented Dec. 1, 1 959 vided with a lengthwise extending slit forming a pair of opposed flaps each having arcuate outer peripheries, an aperture formed in the sheet at the forward end of and communicating with the' slit, and a pair 'ofarcuateears projecting laterally outwardly from said forward vsection at the rear end thereof and being contiguous with said rear section whereby the flaps may be overlapped and the rear section bent out of the plane of the forward section without buckling the insert.

2. A removable cap packaging insert comprising a unitary planar body portion having 'a forward section adapted to lie against substantially the entire top wall are cap in facewise relationship 'there'to,an intermediate section somewhat narrower in transverse dimension than the front section and extending rearwardly as a continuation of the "rear part of the front section, a rear sectionwhich is somewhat narrower than the intermediate section and extending rearwardly as a continuation of the rear portion of the intermediate section, said insert further having an aperture extending from the rear part of the front section across the intermediate section to the forward part of the rear section and communicating with a central slit extending across the rear section and sub-dividing the latter into two flaps, said flaps being adapted to be bent up out of the plane of the body portion so as to overlie a-substantial portion of the back wall of the cap in facewise relationship thereto, and arcuate ears projecting laterally outwardly from and forming the side margins of the intermediate section.

3. A removable cap packaging insert comprising a flat sheet of flexible material provided with a forward section and rear section, said rear section having a lengthwise extending slit forming a pair of opposed flaps each having arcuate outer peripheries, each said flap having a slit extending inwardly from its outer periphery, said sheet having an aperture formed therein and located at the forward end of said s lit so as to communicate therewith and extending into the forwardsection,' and apair of arcuate ears-projecting laterally outwardly from the insert on opposite sides thereof in the region betweensaid forward section and said rear section, whereby the flaps may be bent out of the plane of the forward section without buckling the insert.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 

